http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/Antilitte...4463623.jp

Anti-litter poster branded 'absolutely appalling'

A POSTER to dissuade smokers from dropping their cigarette butts has been branded 'absolutely appalling' by a Port Erin commissioner.
Luisa Gillow has threatened to resign if the poster is displayed in the village.

Anita Imberger, the tobacco strategy co-ordinator at the Department of Health and Social Services, wrote to all local authorities about a cigarette litter campaign and asking if they wanted to be involved.

The campaign includes posters to be displayed. One showed a cigarette covered in a fishnet stocking and reads: 'However you tart it up, it's still litter.'

Ms Gillow said: 'I protest in the strongest possible terms. I'm so sorry this has come about in the year 2008, I would have hoped we had come a bit further than that.

'If women – or men – wear that clothing, to say they are then a tart is really appalling. I am shocked. If this local authority gets offending literature I hope we are not putting it up. If we do, I will be resigning. It's absolutely appalling.'

At their latest meeting, commissioners' chairman Phil Crellin said he had 'no problem' with not using that poster and said because of its 'connotations we will not be displaying number three'.

'It would be nice to think other people would do the same.'

Ms Imberger said: 'This image was used successfully and without problems in the UK.

'The campaign images were based on extensive research into attitudes towards littering and the triggers and barriers to behaviour change.

'Their research identified distinct attitudinal/behavioural groups, and how best to target those groups. One of the key environments they found for addressing messages was pubs, clubs and bars. For this reason, high impact images were designed that were relevant to the group, with language that would be noticed and discussed.'

She added: 'We have to remember that the main reason the campaign is being launched, is to reduce cigarette litter problems. The ENCAMS images have been tried and tested, and their overall campaign resulted in a reduction of 33 per cent of cigarette litter. Our local campaign will include a selection of posters, and if this particular image is considered offensive in some locations, there are several other images that can be used.

'There are also varying individual interpretations of the words "tart it up", which include "to try to make (oneself) look smart and attractive".'


Oh, dear, what next... chair legs covered up???